If a child spells "shirt" as "shert", what type of error is this?

The error of spelling "shirt" as "shert" is best categorized as an orthographic pattern error. Orthographic patterns pertain to the conventional spelling of words and the rules that govern how sounds are represented in written form. In this case, the child has altered the spelling of the word by substituting the vowel sound, indicating a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the correct orthographic pattern.

Recognizing orthographic pattern errors highlights specific areas where a child may need support, such as phoneme-grapheme correspondence (the relationship between sounds and their corresponding letters) and the rules that govern how certain sounds are spelled in various words. This understanding guides instruction to help children better grasp the complexities of spelling and enhances their written language skills.